MUBI

This truly is a undiscovered gem. Great all-star cast all on top of their game. This is a film that lays open part of the criminal underworld of boston, not sensationalistic but subdued and low-key. Everything happens in a methodical matter of fact way. You not only see the characters exploits but get insight into their personal lives.

This is one of the better Peter Yates films. He himself admits it is one of his favorites that he has directed.

Robert Mitchum is mesmerizing in the title role like he was born to play it. He fits into a character undoubtly but meek in appearance. Who is really a larger than life character, Who always has a job or scheme going down while appearing slow. It truly shows his talent and makes me miss actors of his kind all the more.

Steven Keats in his first role really makes a impression as a live wire gun dealer. Who believes he has everything under control and is smart enough to know every angle. As the film progresses you can feel the noose tighten on all the characters and the narrative until it ends, not with a scream but with a whimper.

The ending is a sucker punch to the gut. You think you know everything there is to know and that you need to until the final scene truly reveals all. You think that all this will be some sort of damage, But you witness as life just goes on like nothing really happened.

The reason to enjoy the film is it is stylish with no style that doesn’t call attention to itself. This is truly a film of it’s time as the studios don’t make films like this anymore. If it was made today it would be more flashy and sensationalistic. It would make the characters have a deep core of goodness. This film staying low-key and making no difference between the roles assigned as good or bad both are corrupt in some way. Makes the film feel more real.

“The Friends of Eddie Coyle” has more quick witted, well constructed, gritty dialog than you know what to do with. It’s a perfect depiction of the multi faceted, clever criminal mind and the underworld which it operates most comfortably in. It really gets you thinking about the resourcefulness and depths of perception necessary to successfully function in a lifestyle so cutthroat. I guess if I could change one thing, it would be the goofy 70’s porno-funk score, which I felt should have been replaced by silence for effect. I think sound has the ability to change a movies vibe, and “The Friends of Eddie Coyle” is a perfect example of that. Aside from that this movie was entirely on point, and belongs up there with films such as “M”, “White Heat”, “The Godfather”, “Goodfellas”, “City of God”, “Touch of Evil”, “On the Waterfront”, and other gangster classics. 5 stars for a no bullshit, archetypal American crime film.

An incredibly laid back film, Coyle manages to really capture the essence of the characters perfectly. There isn’t a moment in the film where you believe these men are anything more than mooks, working class guys who just happen to be criminals, but efficient ones at that. The bank robberies in this film are carried out with a meticulous perfection that gives the film layers of history between these characters. Even the lingo they all use is almost impossible to understand. In fact, I’m sure I missed half of what was really going on in some of the more important scenes. Mitchum is impressive, as is Peter Boyle, and the cinematography is identical to that seen in Bullitt. Overall, a very cool film, far from perfect but it’s imperfections add to the richness.